[Current Balance: £2,733,403 10s. 11d.]
---
Alaric opened his eyes to the sight of candled chandeliers, and bright sun rays were beaming with life, targeting his face.
'Ugh... did I just dream about Reuben and Thulani wearing a princess dress?'
He shook his head and got up from the bed. WIthout much effort, he immediately got on the ground and did some push ups.
After performing thousands of reps, he finally stopped and sighed.
'Am I even improving at this rate?'
'Suiton: Full Bathing Jutsu,' Alaric performed a single hand sign and water formed out of thin air, rushing toward every part of his body. He then unsealed the shampoo+conditioner and liquid bathing soup as they immediately opened on their own. The fluids inside each container flowed out and went unto Alaric's body.
After a few seconds, Alaric was finally clean and dry. 'Suiton: Laundry Jutsu'
---
Another few seconds passed as Alaric finally unsealed the new clothes he bought from the old woman and sealed his old ruffled polo, and black pants.
"Heh..." Alaric grinned as he wore the clothes and looked at himself on a nearby mirror. "Damn... this is top-notched..."
'My handsomeness and perfectness is amplified by my clothes... IT'S OVER NINE- okay stop it, Alaric...' He shook his head.
*Knock.Knock*
"Coming..."
As Alaric opened the door to his rented room, he smiled as he saw the old woman carrying the clothes he ordered.
"Good morning to you," The old woman smiled. "This all the clothes I owe you."
"Thank you," Alaric replied and placed the clothes on a nearby table. He then pretended to grab something from his pocket.
[- £1]
[Current Balance: £2,733,402 10s. 11d.]
"Here... for you trouble," He offered as the old woman didn't even hesitate and just received it immediately.
"Thank you for your kind heart!"
Alaric smiled as the old woman didn't waste her time and bid her farewells. 'I didn't even get her name... next time, I guess...'
He shook his head and went towards the clothes that he bought. Grabbing them and bringing them close to his nose to smell them. 'They smell good...'
Alaric proceeded to seal the items on his tattoo, as they disappeared into thin air.
With that, he went out of his room as it was his time to check out.
---
Under a natural litten exquisite office with expensive wooden ambiance, two middle-aged gentlemen were drinking Celestial Teas. One was William Penn, and the other was the 6th Duke of Somerset, Charles Seymour. Also known as "The Proud Duke" and the former Lord President of the Council of the United Kingdom.
"I must say… this is the finest tea I have ever tasted," Charles Seymour commented gallantly. "The flavour… it surpasses anything that has ever graced my lips."
Penn smiled and looked at the Proud Duke while leaning back on his chair. "Even better than the gunpowder tea from China, right?"
"Leagues better..." Charles closed his eyes as he smelled the aroma. "By the way… I hear from John that you have taken on an apprentice of sorts? A rather tall fellow, is he not?"
"Ah, yes... Alaric," Penn raised his brows slightly as he drank a small amount of tea from his cup, savouring the taste. "A remarkable lad… literate, intelligent… and an exceptional fighter as well."
"A fighter, you say? Would you claim he is better than my son?"
"Without a shred of doubt."
"Oh?"
The door to the office opened, and a man strode in with measured steps, though Penn immediately caught the displeasure in his expression.
"Hmm… isn't this young Algernon?" Penn mused, smiling as the man bowed respectfully.
"I am not 'young' any longer, Sire Penn," the man replied with a tight-lipped smile, though the offense in his eyes was unmistakable. "I now bear the title of Earl of Hertford, Algernon Seymour. I expect to be addressed with due respect."
"Respect?" Penn raised an eyebrow before letting out a light chuckle. "Well… I suppose, given that you once served under John in Parliament, and now… under George FitzRoy, was it?"
"…Yes."
"In that case, I believe I have overstayed my welcome." Penn's smile faded into a look of utter boredom, making Charles Seymour widen his eyes.
"Ah… William, forgive my s—"
"Forget it," Penn sighed, reaching for his coat and slipping it on.
Just as he turned to leave, Algernon spoke up.
"
Sire Penn… if this Alaric of yours is truly my better in combat," Algernon hesitated, making Penn pause and glance back at him. "Then I wish to challenge him to a fencing duel."
"…"
"…"
"A fencing duel?" Penn studied Algernon's determined gaze. "Alaric does not partake in such games… he wields a blade to kill, not to dance around in sport."
"Kill?" Algernon clenched his teeth. "I do not fear de—"
"STOP!"
Algernon turned sharply to his father, only to meet the Duke's sharp glare.
Penn, on the other hand, chuckled. "If you wish to fight Alaric to the death, you'll find him at Howard's Tavern this very moment."
"But if it's a duel of honor... or any other childish notions... you may have to entice him with a wager."
"…"
"…"
"A wager, is it…" Algernon lowered his gaze, then met William Penn's eyes with fierce determination. "If I lose… I shall pay this Alaric one thousand pounds! Will that suffice?"
"Three thousand pounds?" Penn smirked before shaking his head. "Not nearly enough… he already has more wealth than the lot of you combined. You'd best make it ten."
"Ten thousand pounds?!" Both Algernon and the Duke of Somerset exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Precisely," Penn smirked, turning his back to them as he strode toward the door. "Or perhaps throw in an estate while you're at it. After all, this is for your own pride, is it not?"
"…"
As Penn finally left, Algernon clenched his jaw and turned to his father. "Father… I…"
"How much do you need?" Charles Seymour sighed before finishing the last sip of Celestial Tea. 'I must buy more of this…'
"I am five thousand pounds short, Father…"
Sigh… "Very well…"
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